Sprint releases first 3G/4G USB modem

Sprint is preparing mobile broadband lovers for a new 4G reality by announcing the first 3G/4G USB modem today.

The Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300 will only work initially in Baltimore, which got the 4G Wimax treatment in September. Sprint recently combined its Wimax business with Clearwire, which is building a nationwide network with backing from Google, Intel, Comcast and Time Warner. Sprint will essentially resell 4G service from Clearwire, which it is a major stakeholder in.

But with more cities set to come (Portland is next up), Sprint is getting consumers ready for a new faster mobile broadband world. The plan is to cover 50 to 60 million people with 4G by the end of next year.

And what will they want to use? Some may just want a dedicated 4G USB modem but the smarter thing may be to have dual mode service with Sprint’s existing 3G cellular network. When you’re in 4G range, users can expect 2 to 4 megabits per second for downloads. If you run out of 4G service, you can fall back to Sprint’s 3G network, which offers speeds of 600 kilobits per second to 1.4 mbps.

The device, which goes on sale Dec. 21 in Baltimore, is priced at $149.99 with a two-year contract, after a $50 mail-in-rebate. For Sprint users going forward, they can expect to pay $79.99 a month for 3G/4G service, which is $20 more a month than standalone 3G service.

Though there are still hurdles for the new network, I’m excited to see it roll out because it means more speed and versatility for users and it opens up new uses cases. It should also prompt some reaction from companies like Verizon Wireless and AT&T, which have plans for their own 4G networks based on a technology called LTE. In the end, more mobile broadband for consumers is a good thing.